Beverage and food container with game features

ABSTRACT

A container for transporting a beverage bag inside of a carton includes a game feature on the outside of the carton for a diversion. The carton is formed from a plurality of walls that are folded together in order to create the container that contains product inside of the carton when assembled. On one of the exterior surfaces of the walls a game feature is designed to be used as an entertainment source and a game piece is in a holder of the carton to play the game.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention generally relates to containers, more particularly, but not exclusively, to containers for handling beverages and food.

BACKGROUND

Beverages, like wine, beer, and soda, and food products, such as snack food products, are often stored and sold in boxes or containers which facilitate compact storage, easy handling and convenient dispensing of the beverage or food. For example, wine is often contained in a box that contains a sealed bag of the wine. By storing the wine or other beverage in a flexible bag within the box—a so-called bag-in-box container—any amount of the beverage can be tapped from the container without a significant amount of air getting in contact with the beverage. This is advantageous for instance when tapping wine, as a consumer in this way is given the opportunity to enjoy a single glass of wine from the bag-in-box container without the remainder of the wine in the container having to be used within a limited time in insure the wines' taste.

Usually the spigot, tap or dispenser on a bag-in-box container is initially concealed within the box or carton so that the boxes can be packed and stored as compactly as possible and so that the spigot is not damaged during the handling of the boxes. When the beverage is to be dispensed, the consumer breaks the paperboard box open along a perforation line and finds the spigot with their fingers from within the box. The spigot is then on most containers partly pulled out of the box and positioned in the cutout of the box and held somewhat in position by a flap from the box.

Other beverages, such as canned or bottle beverages, can also be stored in a suitable box or container. Furthermore, food products like snack foods, may be stored and dispensed appropriately from boxes. Such containers or boxes are commonly utilized in many different settings to dispense the beverage or food products. Due to its convenient portability and sturdy construction, the containers, such as a bag-in-box beverage container, are often transported to parties, tailgate gatherings associated with sporting events such as football or basketball games and other social occasions. Even though the container is discarded after the beverage or food therein has been consumed, it garners much attention during the social gathering and thereby provides a unique opportunity. Existing containers or cartons of this type include information such as advertising and/or content information, but do little to provide diversionary activities or to enhance social interaction can be enhanced beyond the graphics and content of currently known containers or cartons of this type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention solves these and other shortcomings in the prior art. In one embodiment, this invention is a container having a carton with a number of walls enclosing an interior space. A game feature is formed on an exterior face of one of the carton walls. One or more game pieces are housed in the carton and selectively accessible to a user to play a game using the game feature with the game piece. The game feature in one embodiment is selectively moveable between a stowed position for shipping and handling, and an erected position for use as a game or social interaction. The game feature is generally co-planar with the exterior face and the associated carton wall in the stowed position and extends outwardly from the associated carton wall in the erected position. A brace is pivotally coupled to the game feature and adapted to engage the associated carton wall to retain the game feature in the erected position. The brace is included in the container along with a socket in the carton to receive therein a tab on the brace.

In other embodiments of this invention, the container has multiple game features and a number of game pieces housed in the carton. In one embodiment, the container may include a bag adapted to contain the beverage therein and housed within the carton. Advantageously, the spigot of the container of at least some of the embodiments is operational to dispense the beverage when the game feature is in the erected position. The carton may include a handle for carrying the container and a holder to selectively house the game piece therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objectives and features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blank used to form a carton according to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with a game feature in the form of a football goal post being erected from one of the walls of the carton;

FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the game feature football goal post being erected from the side wall of the carton;

FIG. 4B is a view similar to FIG. 4A with the game feature football goal post being pivoted toward an upright or erected position;

FIG. 4C is a view similar to FIGS. 4A and 4B with the game feature football post secured in an upright or erected position and ready for play;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 on the opposite side from that of FIG. 2 and showing another game feature in the form of a basketball goal;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with a game feature in the form of a basketball goal being erected from one of the walls of the carton;

FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional partial view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6 showing the game feature basketball goal being elevated from the side wall of the carton;

FIG. 7B is a view similar to FIG. 7A with the game feature basketball goal being pivoted toward an upright or erected position;

FIG. 7C is a view similar to FIGS. 7A and 7B with the game feature basketball goal secured in an upright or erected position and ready for play;

FIG. 7D is an upright view of the container with the basketball goal in play;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 showing a handle and a holder on the top of the carton; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 with a game piece being removed from the holder of the carton for use with one of the game features on the carton according to one embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures illustrate one particular embodiment for carton 12 that may be utilized to implement the invention. While specifics regarding that embodiment are set forth, the invention is by no means limited to the exact construction of the carton, and various other different types of cartons might be utilized to implement the invention. Furthermore, the illustrated embodiment shows a container used to house a bag containing a beverage. However, it will be understood that the container might also hold canned or bottled beverages or loose or bagged food products, for example. Also, the container of the invention might be used to hold other non-edible or non-drinkable product. As such, the invention is not limited to the bag-in-box use in the illustrated example.

FIG. 1 shows a container or carton blank 10 utilized to form a container or carton 12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The carton blank 10 is formed from a die cut sheet of dual faced, corrugated paperboard in one embodiment and includes a series of panels or planar elements separated by fold lines. The panels or planar elements become walls in the erected carton and each panel and associated wall will be identified with the same reference numeral herein. The walls have respective face surfaces or faces that may be inner or interior face surfaces or outer or exterior face surfaces depending upon how they are oriented. Specifically, the blank 10 includes a bottom generally rectangular panel 16 adjoined to a front panel 18 and a back panel 20 by respective fold lines 22, 24. A top panel 26 is joined by a fold line 28 to the back panel 20 along an edge opposite from the bottom panel 16. A series of flaps are joined along a pair of fold lines to opposite edges of the front, bottom, back and top panels. Specifically, a pair of generally parallel fold lines 30, 32 extends longitudinally on the blank 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and separate respective front flaps 18 a, 18 b from opposite edges of the front panel 18. A pair of bottom flaps 16 a, 16 b extends from opposite edges of the bottom panel 16. A pair of side panel flaps 34, 36 extends from opposite edges of the respective fold lines 30, 32 from the back panel 20 and a pair of top flaps 26 a, 26 b extend from opposite edges along respective fold lines 30, 32 from the top panel 26. A holder flap 38 extends from the top panel 26 along a fold line 40. The purpose of the holder flap 38 will be described later herein and the holder flap 38 includes a series of four serially joined holder panels 38 a, 38 b, 38 c, 38 d separated by holder fold lines 42, 44, 46. Three of the holder panels 38 a, 38 b, 38 c include a generally circular aperture 48 a, 48 b, 48 c similarly positioned on the respective holder panels.

To erect the carton 12 from the blank 10 shown in FIG. 1, the front and back panels 18, 20 are folded towards each other about the bottom panel 16 and the associated fold lines 22, 24. The bottom flaps 16 a, 16 b are folded upwardly to be generally perpendicular to the bottom panel 16 about the fold lines 30, 32. The holder flaps 38 a, 38 b, 38 c are folded about fold lines 40, 42, 44 to form a rectangular, tube-shaped holder chamber 50 with the holder flap 38 d folded about fold line 46 to be juxtaposed and adhered to an inner face of the top panel 26. The top panel 26 is then folded about fold line 28 to be generally perpendicular to the back panel 20 and opposite from the bottom panel 16 and the top flaps 26 a, 26 b are folded inwardly and perpendicular to the top panel 26 and generally parallel to each other about the fold lines 30, 32. The front flaps 18 a, 18 b are then folded about fold lines 30, 32 to be generally perpendicular to the front panel 18 and parallel to one another The side panels 34, 36 are folded to be perpendicular to the back panel 20 about fold lines 30, 32 to overlie the associated front flaps 18 a, 18 b. The flaps 18 a, 18 b and panels 34, 36 form multiple panel walls in the carton, such as a double panel wall as illustrated. As discussed below, the panels 34, 36 are outer panels and form side walls having game features 76, 74, while the panels formed by the flaps 18 a, 18 b are inner panels and underlie the game features. Glue or adhesive is used at appropriate locations is well know by those of ordinary skill to secure the respective panels and flaps to one another to form the carton 12 as shown in FIG. 2.

When the blank 10 is erected into a carton 12, it defines a generally rectangular carton adapted to hold a suitable product. In the illustrated example, the carton is used to contain liquid for human consumption, including wine, juices, water or other beverages. However, other embodiments might contain other products, such as food products, as noted. In the illustrated carton, the liquid is contained within a polymeric bag 52 sized and configured to fit within the erected carton 12. The bag 52 includes a spigot 54 through which the liquid beverage is dispensed. The bag 52 and carton 12 combine to form a beverage container.

A spigot opening 56 is formed in the front panel 18 by a series of perforated cut lines. A user punctures through the front panel at the spigot opening 56 to reach inside the carton 12 and pull the spigot 54 through the front wall 18 for convenient access and dispensing of the beverage through the spigot 54 as is well known in the industry. A handle 58 is formed in the top panel 26 through which a user may tear a perforated cut line to fold a handle flap 60 downwardly to carry the beverage container in a convenient manner. A pair of rectangular sockets 62, 64 are formed in the front flaps 18 a, 18 b, respectively, and their function will be described later herein. A game piece opening 66 is also formed by a pair of parallel, perforated tear lines 68, 70 and a circular aperture 72, all of which will be described later herein.

The carton 12 and associated blank 10 according to one embodiment of this invention includes a game feature on one or more walls of the carton 12. As shown in the figures, the game feature is formed on an exterior face surface of at least one of the carton walls. In the illustrated embodiments, the game feature is located on at least one of the double panel walls of the carton. Specifically, the game feature is formed in the outer panel 34, 36 of the double panel wall that overlies the inner panels or flaps 18 a, 18 b. When the game feature is in the erected position, the inner panels still form a solid wall structure for the carton. Specifically, according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9, one side wall 36 includes a game feature in the form of a football goal post 74 formed in the face surface and the other side wall 34 includes a game feature in the form of a basketball rim goal 76 formed in the face surface. With respect to the football goal post 74, a generally U-shaped outline of the goal post 74 is formed by a continuous perforated tear line terminating in a later fold line 80 at the base of the goal post 74. The football goal post game feature also includes a brace 82 joined to a cross bar portion 84 of the goal post 74. The brace 82 is joined to the cross bar 84 by a fold line 86 and is sandwiched between a pair of generally square cutouts 88, 88 in the associated side panel 36. Upright portions 90, 90 of the goal post 74 are spaced on opposite sides of the brace 82 and cutouts 88, 88 as shown in FIG. 1. A detent tab 92 is along a terminal edge of the brace 82 which can be torn from the side panel 36 as generally shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the goal post game feature is in a stowed position originally in the carton side wall 36. In the stowed position, the game feature is generally co-planar with the side wall and the respective exterior face of the side wall 36 as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example. The game feature may then be torn along the perforated tear line 78 from the side wall 36 and pivoted upwardly from the plane of the side panel along the fold line 86 to an erected position to extend outwardly from side wall 36. Once erected in the upright configuration or erected position as shown by arrow A in FIG. 4A, the brace 82 is pivoted downwardly as shown by arrow B in FIGS. 4A and 4B toward the side wall 36 to engage the side wall 36. With the goal post generally perpendicular to the side wall 36, the brace 82 is pivoted downwardly so that the detent tab 92 is inserted into the socket 64 in the underlying front flap 18 b as shown in FIG. 4C. The goal post 74 may be pivoted slightly downwardly as shown by arrow C to secure the detent tab 92 in the socket 64. The goal post 74 is temporarily retained in the erected and upright position as shown in FIG. 4C with the detent tab 92 seated within the socket 64. The goal post 74 can be easily collapsed toward the side wall by a reverse operation to that which is shown in FIGS. 4A-4C by releasing the detent tab 92 from the socket 64, folding the brace 82 upwardly to become coplanar with the goal post uprights 90 and folding the entire goal post game feature downwardly into the side wall 36 and a stowed position where the game feature is again generally co-planar with the side wall 36 and respective exterior face. This can be conveniently accomplished for subsequent transport or storing of the beverage container.

The basketball goal game feature 76 is likewise erected from a stowed position in the associated side wall 34 where the game feature 76 is generally co-planar with the side wall 34 and the respective exterior face surface. The game feature 76 is selectively moveable to the erected position by tearing a generally arcuate rim 94 along a perforated tear line 96 and folding it upwardly from the side wall 34 as shown by the arrow D in FIG. 7A. The basketball goal feature is joined to the remainder of the side panel along a fold line 98. Similarly, a brace 100 is then folded downwardly in the direction of arrow E about a fold line 102 as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B. With the basketball goal erected slightly greater than 90 degrees from the portion of the side wall 34 it was raised from, the brace 100 is pivoted downwardly (arrow F) so that a detent tab 104 is seated within a socket 62 on the underlying front flap 18 a so that the erected basketball goal game feature in the erected position is generally perpendicular to the side wall 34 and extends outwardly or upwardly from the side wall 34 as shown in FIG. 7C. It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the various goals utilized in the invention might be configured to be supported in their outward erected or deployed position through various support structures other than just the braces 82, 100 illustrated in the figures. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to a specific implementation of support that keeps the goals in their erected or deployed positions. Because of the double walls, the integrity of the carton is maintained even when the game features are in the erected position.

The various game features included in the beverage container carton 12 according to embodiments of this invention can be used with one or more game pieces contained within the holder chamber 50 on the top wall 26. In one embodiment, the holder flaps 38 a, 38 b, 38 c, 38 d are folded about the respective holder flap fold lines 40, 42, 44, 46 to form a holder chamber 50 for the game pieces 106. The holder chambers 50, 51 are accessible through the game piece openings 66, 67, which are formed by a series of cooperating perforated tear lines 68, 70, 73, 75, 77. The tear lines 68 are generally parallel to each other and tear lines 70, 73, 75, 77 run transverse to those parallel lines 68 to define separate tear-away sections as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. The tear lines create access for the chamber 50 for the illustrated embodiment, which holds two or more game pieces. But additional chambers might be formed similarly to hold additional game pieces. One part of chamber 50 holding game piece 106 is accessed through a circular finger hole 72 formed inside lines 68, 73, 75, and 77, through which a user may tear open the game piece opening 66 to gain access to the holder chamber 50 and the game pieces 106, 107 therein, as shown in FIG. 9. All of the game pieces might be accessed through opening 66. The game piece opening 67 in another part of chamber 50 might be torn open along lines 68, 70, and 73 to expose that part of chamber 50. The torn portions might be selectively torn, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, to form flaps 69 or flap 71 that would hinge along one or more hinge lines 70, 73, and 77, as appropriate, to open and access parts of the chamber 50. The circular apertures 48 a, 48 b, 48 c in the holder flaps 38 a, 38 b, 38 c serve to retain the game piece 106, such as a basketball (which may be a ping pong ball) in a friction fit in chamber 50 so that the game piece would stay in place even if the flaps 69 or carton portion of opening 66 is torn off and discarded. A football 107, or other item in chamber 50 might be loose to roll and shift in the chamber 50. Depending on the size of the holder chamber, multiple game pieces may be contained therein. Instead of selectively tearing along lines 68, 70, 73, 75, or 77 to form flaps 69, 71, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the portion of the carton defined by perimeter lines 68, 77, and 70, or a sub-portion thereof, might be completely torn away to expose the chambers and game pieces. In use, the basketball game piece 106 is used for players to shoot the game piece 106 through the erected basketball goal 76 on the side wall 34 of the carton 12 when the carton is supported on the bottom 16, as shown in FIG. 7D. Alternatively, the football goal post 74 may be erected as shown in FIG. 4C for play with the carton 12 supported on the opposing side wall 34. The football 107 might be flicked, thrown or otherwise tossed through the goal post 74, as shown in FIG. 4C. In that way, the invention provides a game to be played while the contents of the container are enjoyed. Also, unique graphics, team logos, and other artwork might be used to enhance the overall experience of the game. It will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that while two game features are shown in the form of basketball and football game features, many other game features or goals and associated game pieces, as needed, can alternatively be included on the carton and one, two or any number of game features may be included on a single carton in various locations on the carton within the scope of this invention. The game features may be easily and selectively erected and retracted for repeated use, storage and transport of the carton until the ultimate disposal of the beverage container.

Although not shown, the game features may generally include graphics, such as the yard lines of the football field or the boundaries of a basketball court or backboard to enhance the game feature. Similarly, the graphics may be color coordinated to match team colors, logos or the like.

From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description of at least one preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which this invention is susceptible. Therefore, I desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A container comprising: a carton having a plurality of walls enclosing an interior space; a game feature formed on an exterior face of at least one of the carton walls; and a game piece housed in the carton and selectively accessible to a user to play a game using the game feature with the game piece.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein the game feature is selectively moveable between a stowed position and an erected position.
 3. The container of claim 1 wherein the game feature is generally co-planar with the exterior face of the associated carton wall in the stowed position and extends outwardly from the associated carton wall in the erected position.
 4. The container of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of game features each on a different wall of the carton; and a plurality of game pieces housed in the carton and associated with the game features.
 5. The container of claim 1 further comprising a bag adapted to contain a beverage therein and housed within the interior space of the carton; a spigot coupled to the bag and adapted to project through one of the walls of the carton to dispense the beverage.
 6. The container of claim 5 wherein the spigot is operational to dispense the beverage when the game feature is in the erected position.
 7. The container of claim 1 wherein the game feature is one of a football goal post and a basketball goal rim.
 8. The container of claim 1, further comprising: a holder in the carton to selectively house the game piece therein.
 9. The container of claim 2 further comprising: a brace pivotally coupled to the game feature and adapted to engage the associated carton wall to retain the game feature in the erected position.
 10. A container comprising: a carton having a plurality of walls enclosing an interior space; a bag adapted to contain a beverage therein and housed within the interior space of the carton; a spigot coupled to the bag and adapted to project through one of the walls of the carton to dispense the beverage; a game feature formed on an exterior face of at least one of the carton walls; and a game piece housed in the carton and selectively accessible to a user to play a game using the game feature on the exterior face of the at least one carton wall.
 11. The container of claim 10 further comprising a holder in the carton to selectively house the game piece therein; the game feature being generally co-planar with the exterior face of the associated carton wall in a stowed position, the game feature configured to be selectively moveable between the stowed position to an erected position for extending outwardly from the associated carton wall.
 12. The container of claim 11 further comprising: a brace pivotally coupled to the game feature and adapted to engage the associated carton wall to retain the game feature in the erected position; a socket in the carton to receive therein a tab on the brace; and the spigot being operational to dispense the beverage when the game feature is in the erected position
 13. The container of claim 10 further comprising: a plurality of game features each on a different wall of the carton; and a plurality of game pieces housed in the carton.
 14. The container of claim 10 wherein the game feature is one of a football goal post and a basketball goal rim.
 15. A container comprising: a carton having a plurality of walls enclosing an interior space; at least one of the walls being a multiple panel wall having an inner panel and an outer panel that overlies the inner panel; a game feature formed in the outer panel of the multiple panel wall, the game feature being generally co-planar with the outer panel in a stowed position and being selectively moveable to an erected position to extend outwardly from the outer panel; a game piece housed in the carton and selectively accessible to a user to play a game using the game feature with the game piece.
 16. The container of claim 15 further comprising: a plurality of multiple panel walls; a plurality of game features, each game feature formed on a different multiple panel wall of the carton; and a plurality of game pieces housed in the carton and associated with the plurality of game features.
 17. The container of claim 15 further comprising a bag adapted to contain a beverage therein and housed within the interior space of the carton; a spigot coupled to the bag and adapted to project through one of the walls of the carton to dispense the beverage
 18. The container of claim 15 wherein the game feature is one of a football goal post and a basketball goal rim.
 19. The container of claim 15, further comprising: a holder in the carton to selectively house the game piece therein.
 20. The container of claim 15 further comprising: a brace pivotally coupled to the game feature and adapted to engage the associated outer panel to retain the game feature in the erected position. 